[SCA-AE] Heraldry encouraged and Entertainers Invited to Perform at Ice Dragon

[philm at buffalo.com]

Cordially Invited Musicians, Dancers, Performers and the Splendor of the
Realms Banners and heraldry.


What is a festival with out music? What is a gathering of people with out
a story or a dance? What is a castle without grandeur, banners and
heraldic displays? It’s O.K., but not near awesome.  In some parts of
the Known World this might be acceptable. However, This is Aethelmearc; a
colorful land full of artistic, talented and creative people and a
festival with out music nor a castle without grand heraldic display will
not do. Blandness and the mundane is not our style. When we see
opportunity we rise to the occasion and create greatness. Others might be
happy to have a castle and call it a day. Not us Aethelmearc, our colors
do not run passive, meek or shy. Oh No! We are crimson, bold, strong, and
not afraid to be noticed.

Now what does this all have to do with the Festival of the Passing of the
Ice Dragon to be held Saturday March 26? Yes we have a beautiful castle, a
truly beautiful backdrop to our events. And yes the day will be full of
its usual grand tournaments the legendary Pent, and a grand court with
elevations. And yes, it will be decorated in Aethelmearc heraldry and
those of the host barony. However, I know we can do better. We can take
this up a notch and make it a spectacle for the ages. And this is where
you come in.

We cordially invite the Musicians, Singers, Bards, Dancers and other
entertainers of the Known World to come and perform. Let the entire venue
be your stage. Please come and be heard. Please don’t set up in a list,
as the last thing we want is a performer gacked by a rapier or pike. That
being said; please come and be heard. Play, perform, dance and recite
wherever you find room whenever you can. Feel free to roam the floor like
traveling minstrels, Feel free to have a tip jar or hand out literature
regarding future performances or sell your music and videos where you are
performing.

Please do not think that you are intruding. I have yet to hear anyone
complain, well unless you have set up uninvited in a list, royalty room,
scribal area or etcetra. Otherwise it is quite the contrary. On the
occasion when people have played, sung, danced and performed stories or
poems I have heard the populous rejoice and wish that it happened more
often. It sets the mood and displays the passions and joy of our activity.
Please do not be frightened by acoustics or other noises. Be daring, be
bold, throw back your heads, heads and perform so the Gods can hear you.
Let your voices and instruments be heard. Dance like no one is
watching…. Though they probably will. People like to be entertained.

We invite all to display their heraldry and livery. Banners and sheet
walls that represent the people and places of Aethelmearc are strongly
encouraged. Please bring your freestanding posts and poles to display
them, as we cannot damage the walls. Those command hook things are fine
just let them cure for an hour before trying to hang a banner on them or
else it will fall off.

Why bother you might say? It’s a busy day as it is. I ask you to accept
this invitation because your extra time to bring your instrument, to play
a song, to sing a tune, to tell a story or to dance will create the
magical moments that make the SCA so great. My first event was an Ice
Dragon out at Batavia Downs. That day was full of tournaments, displays,
people, amazing garb and awesome stuff, but two things stick in my head
above all. The one that applies here is I remember a group of dancers and
a few drummers that began to perform in a small corner of the hall. They
were not officially invited nor was their performance officially slated.
Actually there were three things that stood out in my head that day. The
third was a drinking game involving a drinking horn that was being
promoted by a Scottsman, but that is another story. Those performers said
more about the SCA than anything else anyone could have told me about. The
magic of the SCA is the creativity and artistry of its people and its the
passion and joy that can occur spontaneously.

The Castle is a great back drop but it is merely a building, granted a
grand and  beautiful building, but it is the music, the dance, the
performances and the displays that bring the Current Middle Ages alive.
Please come and help make Ice Dragon magical.

YIS
Ice Dragon Minister of Fun
THL Filipo DeSancto Martino
Aka That Guy Phil